China Initiatives in Real Estate

Cornell University has a powerful international dimension, within which China has been central to its endeavors. Throughout the ongoing urbanization process, real estate has played a critical role in China. The real estate industry in China is evolving from being dominated by residential development to focusing on commercial real estate investment and financing. Chinese investors have become the largest foreign buyers of U.S. property, pouring billions into the market in 2015.

The Center for Real Estate and Finance at Cornell is the world leader in research and education on commercial real estate investment, securitization and financing, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. The center is leading the efforts to expand Cornell’s presence within the Chinese real estate industry.

The Center for Real Estate and Finance’s China Initiatives include the following three areas:

Research: The China Initiatives facilitate collaboration between Cornell faculty and scholars around the world in order to advance the understanding of the Chinese real estate industry and its impact to the global economy.

Education: The China Initiatives offer research opportunities for Cornell undergraduate and graduate students, host visiting scholars from China, and offer education opportunities for Chinese executives and students.

Forum and Seminars: Beginning in April 2013 as part of the Cornell International Hospitality Summit in Shanghai, the annual Real Estate and Finance China Forum has attracted many industry leaders, real estate scholars, and policy makers. As part of the China Initiatives, the center collaborates with the Cornell China Real Estate Advisory Committee and Cornell Asia Real Estate Association to host the annual forum and other distinguished speaker seminars throughout the year.

China Advisory Committee
The China Initiatives are supported by the efforts of the China Advisory Committee, which comprises real estate professionals in China representing all aspects of the industry. The committee collaborates with the center to host the annual forum and various speakers, partners on research efforts, and supports executive education.

For more information, contact:
Professor Peng Liu
Singapore Tourism Board Distinguished Professor in Asian Hospitality Management
CREF_China@cornell.edu